The FMU Percussion Ensemble performed on Nov. 16 at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) located in downtown Florence.
The performance was modeled after the ideology and methodology of drummer and composer Max Roach’s percussion ensemble M’Boom, with a focus on jazz and non-Western musical culture.
There were only three performers for this show: assistant professor of music industry Brian Jones, sophomore music industry major Clarence Gass and junior music industry major Jaden Seales.
The group performed a variety of pieces, such as “Shhh/Peaceful” by Miles Davis and “Blues for Blackwell” by Brian Jones, which had an improvisation-based approach. The performance concluded with “Pinchback” by Brian Jones, with the beat for that piece being composed by Gass so that it would have more of a modern twist to the music.
By allowing students to add their own music, the performance become more collaborative and better suited to mix the three styles together. This blend enhanced the performance by building a connection between the performers that they were able to utilize to pull off some of the more improvisational-based pieces.
One of the performances featured a short film from 1997 titled “Commingled Containers” by Stan Brakhage. The performers improvised the sounds that took place throughout each of the events of the film. As the footage played in the background of the performance, the ensemble created a soundscape that captured the mood and atmosphere of every scene.
Each performer seemed to know exactly when to add their sound and when to back off, creating a truly collaborative performance. By taking turns, they were also able to better capitalize on the various moments throughout the film.
“I really liked it,” Elaina Ponders, sophomore music major, said. “I felt as though they kept going from the film and then back to the different instruments in between it, which really kept the audience entertained, and I really liked how everything like meshed together really well.”
According to Gass, prior to performing, it is crucial to prepare so that there is confidence in yourself and your abilities. It also helps to rehearse as a group so that each performer can become acquainted with each other’s sound and better play off one another.
“When it comes to mentally preparing for a performance, it all starts for me at rehearsals,” Gass said. “Going through the material with the band, building chemistry together and becoming more confident and comfortable with the pieces at every rehearsal really did a lot to make me feel better about the upcoming performance.”
Gass said another important aspect of practicing comes from the time put in. The two student performers were able to practice during class time, allowing them to become more familiar with the music and more comfortable with the idea of performing it on stage.
“I had memorized the music that we practiced during class, so I was half-calm half-nervous,” Seales said. “So how I mentally prepared for the performance was by trying to rationalize the situation, and by that, I mean that I took into account multiple facts regarding the concert and music in general before we started the performance”.
After the performance, the band received a roaring applause from the audience. Even members unfamiliar with this type of performance found it enjoyable and impressive.
“I have a music class, and they required we come out here, but I’m glad we did,” Ava Roscoe, a freshman music major, said.
The energy and talent of the performers left a lasting impression on the audience, who would highly recommend it to anyone who loves music or simply wants to experience something new and exciting.
Throughout each semester, Jones performs percussion in multiple genres, such as improvisational and jazz. Incorporated into these performances are typically either FMU students or other musicians Jones has worked with in the past.
For more events from the PAC, one can visit their website and see their schedule for the rest of this year and 2024.